All About Hadrian’s Wall

Meandering through some of the most stunning landscapes of northern England, Hadrian’s Wall once delineated the outer frontier of one of the greatest empires in Europe: the Roman Empire.

Started as a republic in 509 BC and forged into the Roman Empire in 27 BC, the Roman Empire was built up at the heart of the Italic peninsula before it began to expand outwards. Ruled by a series of emperors as well as the Roman senate. Starting with the first emperor Octavian/Augustus, Roman Emperors had three main tasks.

The first was the most mundane – but arguably the most important: feeding and protecting the populace in Rome and throughout the empire. The emperor had to ensure a steady supply of food arriving into the city, which most managed through trade as well as local farming. Water, too, was an important aspect of an emperor’s duty. Famously managed through ingenious engineering of aqueducts, fountains, wells, and piping. Throughout much of the empire, this task was delegated to local governors and officials heading up the various regions of Rome, from Gaul to Dacia to northern Africa and Britannia.

The second was to better the capital city of Rome. It was seen as important to leave one’s mark on the Eternal City. In the centre of Rome, dozens of forums jostle for space, hundreds of columns erected to form temples of all shapes and sizes, and hundreds of bathhouses sprung up throughout the city and suburbs (contemporary catalogues of buildings logged over 800 small “thermae” or bathhouses in Rome).

And the third – and most relevant to Hadrian’s Wall – task was expansion. Roman Emperors were not only expected to maintain their empire but to expand on it. Trajan expanded into Dacia (modern-day Romania), Augustus into Egypt, and Claudius into the south of Britannia. It was Hadrian whose name is so attached to Roman Britain though, as it is he who left his mark on the greatest Roman architectural site in the UK.

The primary focus of the wall was defence, so it’s only natural that Hadrian’s Wall was protected by soldiers. At the top of this hierarchy were the famous legionnaires: elite, highly-trained forces who were Roman citizens. A legion comprised about 5,000-6,000 men, broken down into “centuries” of 100 men (sometimes less) and led by a legate, who came from the highest of Roman classes. At the time of the Roman conquest of Britain, Rome had about 30 legions.

The other main military force were the auxiliaries (at least half of all Roman forces), who were often made up of non-citizens. There were two general types: calvary and infantry units. Broken down into cohorts, these were either 500 or 1,000 men. There were many variations of these, and different types of cohorts enjoyed different statuses and sizes. The final type of unit was the numerous, of which little is known.

Being polytheistic, the Romans were constantly adding (and subtracting!) deities from their divine lineup. The more places they conquered, the more gods and goddesses were added, many of them local deities that were ‘converted’ Roman. On Hadrian’s Wall, there was a little-known god called Antenociticus. Only a few mentions of him have been found, and he is only known at Hadrian’s Wall. Perhaps he was the god of the wall? More likely he was a local god incorporated into the Roman pantheon.

Important Forts & Museums:

• Hadrian’s Wall Gallery in the Great North Museum
• Wallsend – Segedunum Fort & Museum in Newcastle 
• The Temple of Mithras 
• Corbridge Roman Town & Museum 
• Chesters Roman Fort 
• Housesteads Fort 
• Vindolanda (just off from the wall) Museum & Archeology Site 
• Birdoswald Fort & Roman Army Museum in Brampton 

There are many archaeological sites along the wall, some of which are currently active. The most famous fort is Vindolanda, an active archaeological site for about 25 years, and takes hundreds of volunteers every year – and still, there is a waiting list.

For the rest of us who don’t need to become amateur archaeologists but want to learn more about the wall’s history, there are several archaeology sites and museums. These are listed below if you were walking from Newcastle to Solway on Tyne (as well as all of the turrets and milecastles along the way).

The best way to properly experience the might and history of Hadrian’s Wall is to walk Hadrian’s Wall Path. This is a modern path built along the contours of this once-mighty fortification. Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Romans on this mighty trail, built in 2003, that takes in the very best of the Roman frontier.

The core path is about 84 miles or 135 km and is estimated to take 7-8 days. Expect terrain ranging from lush rolling farmlands to craggy hilltops and open moors. It is a National Trail, maintained by Natural England, and follows along the UNESCO World Heritage site. It is generally recognised that the middle section from Chollerford to Birdoswald is the most demanding section due to more climbing. However, in general, Hadrian’s Wall Path can be walked by anyone who is fit and appropriately equipped.

We recommend walking it from east to west for two reasons: this is the direction in which the Romans built the wall, and secondly getting to Newcastle via public transport is much easier. The whole route is waymarked. Sturdy walking boots, several layers and waterproofs (top and bottom) are essential as the path can be uneven and muddy, and the weather can be unpredictable.

Much of information here is from Newcastle University and the University of Reading.